University of South Florida
Ohio State
Comebacks Abound As Bulls Drop No. 35 Ohio State
March 08, 2009 | Women's Tennis
TAMPA - Looking to start off their eight match home-stand with a bang, the University of South Florida women's tennis team did just that by defeating the No. 35 Ohio State Buckeyes, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
As if the 5-2 score isn't impressive enough, how they did it is even more impressive.
Starting with doubles competition, the Bulls dug themselves into a bit of a hole as the Buckeyes took two of the three doubles matches to take the early 1-0 lead. Junior Allyn Mueller and sophomore Jessica Zok teamed up to knock off OSU's team of Cami Hubbs and Julie Blackmore, 9-8 (1) in the Bulls lone doubles conquest at the No. 2 position.
Heading into singles competition down, 1-0, the Bulls came out on fire and took complete control of the match. Playing in just her third collegiate match sophomore Irene Rehberger defeated her second consecutive ranked singles player in No. 116 Kirsten Flower, 6-0, 6-4 in the No. 1 singles slot. Rehberger is now 2-1 on the season.
In the No. 2 singles position, Zok registered a straight set victory, 6-1, 6-4 over Paloma Escobedo and in the No. 3 singles slot senior Iciri Rai tallied another straight victory, 6-1, 6-4 over Angela DiPastina.
The Bulls would tally two more singles victories from their No. 5 and 6 positions as Natalia Guevara battled back after dropping the first set, 6-1. She would claim the next two sets, 6-1, 6-3, over Cami Hubbs.
Much like Guevara, Mueller would come from behind to clinch a three-set victory. She dropped her first set 6-4, before storming back to win the final two sets, 6-4, 3-2 (ret), over Julie Blackmore.
The win marks the Bulls first victory against a ranked opponent this season and it is also the first time USF has won after dropping the doubles point.
With the win, the Bulls improve to 2-7 on the season. The Bulls will continue their eight-match homestand when they renew their rivaly with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish come to Tampa Wednesday, March 11 with first serve at 1 p.m. at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
USF 5, No. 35 Ohio State
March 8, 2009
USF Varsity Tennis Courts-Tampa, Fla.
Singles
1. Irene Reheberger USF def. #116 Kirsten Flower 6-0,6-4
2. Jessica Zok USF def. Paloma Escobedo 6-1,6-4
3 Iciri Rai USF def. Angela DiPastina 6-1,6-1
4. Natalia Guevara USF def Cami Hubbs 1-6,6-1,6-3
5. Allyn Mueller USF def. Julie Blackmore, 4-6,6-4,3-2 ret.
6. Keesey, Christina def. Lauren Shumate, 6-2,6-4
Doubles
1. Angela DiPastina- Cristina Keesey Ohio State def. Irene Rehberger- Lauren Shumate (USF) 8-6
2. Allyn Mueller-Jessica Zok (USF) def Cami Hubbs- Julie Blackmore 9-8 (1)
3. Kirsten Flower - Paloma Escobedo Ohio State def. Iciri Rai- Natalia Guevara (USF) 8-6
